Most people buy gifts for their dogs. You can find pilgrim costumes, Hanukkah sweaters, and reindeer antlers for dogs. Sure, it’s fun for us. But do dogs care? What Dogs Enjoy Most About the Holidays Dogs love holidays as much as we do, if not more. But not for the reasons we’d expect. The garbage …
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Looking for the Good Side of Your Bad Dog
I’m guilty. Over the years I’ve said about my dogs, “Why can’t she just…” Fill in the blank—stop pulling, be comfortable alone in the house, push open a door.” But lately, I’ve looked at the benefits of my dogs’ “bad behavior.” And it’s pretty amazing. Benefits of Pulling on Leash My first dog, Christie, was …
Teach a Dog to Drive; Get That Dog a Home
I love a clever idea. And someone at the Mini car company had a clever idea involving their charitable partner, the New Zealand SPCA: What if you could prove shelter dogs are just as smart as dogs from breeders by, oh, I don’t know, teaching them to drive a car? Just watch. I can’t stop …
The Curse of the Perfect Dog
I know of three Golden Retrievers who live much of their lives in backyards within one block of my house. Why? They’re victims of the Perfect Dog Curse. It’s About the Dog, Not the Breed We all know that some breeds (notably pit bulls and pit mixes) pay a terrible price because people expect bad …
10 Reasons Puppies are Better than Prozac
To many, the December holidays bring great joy. But others feel lonely or left out. What’s the solution? Prozac? Or puppies? Why Puppies Are Better Than Prozac No one has ever turned down their heat at night because their Prozac bottle is warming their bed. Studies have shown that exercise is more effective than drugs …
Best Gift of All – Carol Bryant at Fidose of Reality
What can you say about someone you don’t know well and have only recently met? A lot. If you listen and pay attention. Things I know about Carol Bryant When I sat down and started thinking, I realized I knew quite a bit about Carol, both from visiting her website, Fidose of Reality, and from …
Would Your Dog Protect Your Home?
A stranger enters your house. Your dog: runs and hides barks her head off or bites the intruder wags for joy Which did you pick? And how sure are you? What Dogs Do When Strangers Break In A news station asked several dog people what their pets would do in case of a break in. …
10 Ways Dogs Help You Survive Winter
The days are getting shorter. The weather is getting colder. How will I ever make it through another winter? Oh, yeah, I forgot. I have a dog. I’ll be fine. Winter Survival – Doggy Style If you have a dog, you’ll have everything you need to get through a long, cold winter: Foot Warmer – No …
Twin Pups From Different Mothers
I was worried. Honey was sleeping awfully late. I’d have expected her to beg for her breakfast or a walk. But she kept napping. And then I realized. She wasn’t sick. Honey was just like me. My Dog is an Extrovert The classic definition of an extrovert is someone affected more by external realities than …
Dogs Are Stupid; So Are People
Okay, maybe stupid is a little harsh. How about distactible? Or easily confused? The point is, if you want a dog to understand you, talk simply. And if you want a person to understand you, do the same thing. Dog Training Cues Look at any list of the most important behaviors to teach your dog. …